ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, even though it is a problem that affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of females to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals don't have the knowledge or experience to recognize ADHD in women. Many women are misdiagnosed and fail to receive the care they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, which can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for instance could be a jumble of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Although you may have invested money in products to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to complete a task. This can leave you in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a good job in your professional or in your personal life, particularly when you feel that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also have difficulty managing your emotions, which may make you overreact in stressful situations. Your high-speed verbal communication can cause confusion and miscommunications with family members and colleagues, and you might say things that hurt the feelings of others without meaning to. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before thinking things through, since the tendency to be impulsive is common among people suffering from ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and beliefs about the ways boys, men and women should behave. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
In addition to being diagnosed, you might benefit from behavioral therapy to address the root causes of your condition. It could take some time to discover the most effective strategies for dealing with stress, but implementing them will help you feel in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD frequently experience intense emotions however their brains do not have a way to evaluate or filter them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single incident or find it hard to discern the mood of their peers. It can also make it easier for them to get distracted by minor inconveniences like books that are out of stock or a friend who's late to spin class.
Many women with ADHD mask their symptoms and come up with coping strategies to compensate for their attention problems. They could be perfectionists, or extremely meticulous at school or at work but struggle to keep track of important dates, bills and appointments. They may also have issues with self-control and verbal control. They may also frequently interrupt others, talk too much, frequently, or info dump during conversations.
The hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD tends to be more common in boys and men, but it's not unusual for women to have these symptoms too. These symptoms include an abrupt urge to begin, stop, or change activities. They can also be characterized by not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation, and experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
While gender-based stereotypes may contribute to the development of ADHD, it's not always easy to determine if women are suffering from these problems. The scales of rating used to detect ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. adhd test for women might not be aware of the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women who suffer from ADHD also report that their symptoms become more severe during times of hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can cause emotional symptoms such as frustration, irritability or depression. They may also have a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This can contribute to the use of drugs, low self-esteem, and unhealthy coping behaviors. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms don't indicate their worth or importance as human beings. With a well-planned treatment program, you can reduce or even eliminate these signs.
3. Inattention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD the symptoms are experienced often enough that they cause disruption with your daily life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, forget appointments, or spend a great amount of time putting off tasks. You're not able to wait your turn and interrupt others during conversations.
Adults who aren't attentive can also rush into projects before thoroughly planning them and researching them. This results in a lack of results or even subpar ones. You may also get distracted easily and tend to leave projects unfinished- from the vegetable garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new system of organization that was put together and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD also have a chronic feeling of disorganization, both at home and at work. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and lose things frequently. You may also lose track of time and be late for school, work or meetings.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to experience these inattentive symptoms, but they can still have problems with organization, time management and self-control. People who suffer from these conditions might say or do things without considering the consequences. For instance they might speak over others or make a lot of nonsensical noises in solitude. signs of adhd in women might be unable to sit still and adjusting their seats or at a fast pace. They may have difficulty maintaining a job and might have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In some cases the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to having co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD have a myriad of obstacles when seeking treatment and diagnosis that include gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. The rise of high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their own struggles with ADHD has helped raise awareness, but many young women and girls still don't know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might experience an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, trouble staying calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also feel the sense of danger even in situations that you are aware aren't risky. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia as well as separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events, like menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This makes it more difficult to manage daily tasks and social interactions, and can cause feelings of self-doubt and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time accepting criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipating rejection and you can get angry over minor things that others do not see as to be a problem.
Mood swings are a part of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older and you may discover that your mood is unpredictable or difficult to control. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as burning, scrubbing or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to get a proper diagnosis. It can help you understand the issues you're facing, and give you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor for a professional assessment. In some instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some cases your doctor might suggest a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and make you feel more confident and capable.